Please note updated guidance for COVID-19 testing in health and social care settings. Previous testing guidance issued in February 2024 has been stood down with immediate effect.
While COVID-19 continues to pose a serious risk to vulnerable populations, this updated guidance reflects the changing burden of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, which is now more closely aligned with that of other viral respiratory infections.
Testing for COVID-19 continues to be recommended in the follow scenarios:
▪ To inform clinical management of a patient.
▪ To investigate and manage incidents and/or outbreaks.
▪ To protect extremely vulnerable settings, enabling cohorting and appropriate infection prevention and control measures.

1. Testing for symptomatic health and social care staff
COVID-19 testing of symptomatic staff across health and social care settings, including hospitals, primary care, community, care homes and hospices, is not required. This guidance removes the previous requirement for COVID-19 specific testing by lateral flow device of symptomatic staff working in clinical areas caring for immunocompromised patients.
Staff who are unwell with respiratory symptoms should contact their line manager to complete a risk assessment in line with usual sickness and absence processes.
The above advice applies to all health and social care settings, except for symptomatic health and social care staff who may themselves be eligible for COVID-19 treatments. Such staff should test in line with current COVID-19 testing advice for individuals who are at highest risk. Eligibility for COVID-19 treatments are available at Treatments for coronavirus (COVID-19) | nidirect.

2. Clinical indications for testing
Testing should support clinical diagnosis and management with clinical teams exercising discretion in relation to the testing required for any individual patient. Testing should continue in those patients who are suspected of having COVID-19 and who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Setting specific guidance for COVID-19 testing for individuals in care homes and hospices remains unchanged. Full testing guidance for these settings can be found here: Testing in care homes and hospices | HSC Public Health Agency

3. Access to lateral flow devices
Care homes, primary care and independent health practitioners who require testing can continue to access LFD tests via the Pharmacy Collect scheme. Ordering arrangements for HSC Trusts remain unchanged. Trusts can continue to access these via BSO.